Extensible chainwheel for a bicycle powertrain assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a driving sprocket for a bicycle crankset having a toothed ring whose ring is divided into a plurality of segments ( 14   a,    14   b   , 14   c,    14   d ), the segments being borne by a frame ( 16 ) that is rotationally movable about a crankset axle, each sprocket segment being movable between a low position and a high position, a system for transferring each segment to transfer said segment from one position to another, and an indexing mechanism to control the system for shifting the segments. The sprocket is characterized in that each segment ( 14   a,    14   b,    14   c,    14   d ) is floatingly mounted with respect to the frame ( 16 ) and in that it is guided in its transfer movement along a trajectory having a radial component and a tangent component.

[0001] The invention relates to an extensible driving sprocket for a bicycle transmission assembly.

[0002] Such extensible sprockets are known to perform a progressive gear shift.

[0003] For example, French Patent FR 961 243 describes a sprocket having four pinions for driving the chain that are radially extensible.

[0004] For this type of construction, the chain follows a polygonal trajectory at the level of the sprocket, with substantial variations in distance at the axle of the sprocket which reverberate at the level of the pedaling force.

[0005] French Patent FR 1 140 134 or even FR 1 542 594 describe another constructional embodiment, according to which the sprocket does not have pinions but instead segments with radially extensible rings.

[0006] The drawback to this type of construction is controlling the transitory phases. It is readily understood that at the non-extensible state the segments are contiguous and that in their various states of extension, they leave between them a space that is equal to a whole number of a chain pitch. However, in the case of a radial extension, there is the drawback of controlling the space between two contiguous segments during the transitory phases, i.e., during the passage of the segments to the following phase of extension or retraction.

[0007] Another flaw in these known constructions is that they seek to multiply the number of transmission ratios, i.e., the number of positions for extending the segments. However, the further apart the sprocket segments are, the more difficult it is to change the segment positions, and the more perceptible is the previously mentioned phenomenon of polygonal trajectory.

[0008] Another flaw is that the mechanism for radially extending the segments is located toward the middle of the segment. It directly sustains the stresses resulting from the tension of the chain. Furthermore, it is overhangingly biased each time a segment is partially engaged with the chain. Added to this is the fact that the sprocket attacks the taut strand of the chain, i.e., the strand that has the maximum stress.

[0009] An object of the invention is to propose an extensible sprocket that improves the gear shift.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose an extensible sprocket in which the segments work under better conditions.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a driving sprocket for a bicycle crankset having a toothed ring whose toothing has one pitch in correspondence with one chain pitch, the ring being divided into a plurality of segments, the segments being borne by a frame that is rotationally movable about a crankset axle, each sprocket segment being movable with respect to the frame in a plane perpendicular to the crankset axle between a low position and a high position, in which it is further distant from the crankset axle, thus defining a small diameter state and an imaginary large diameter state of the sprocket, a system for transferring each segment to transfer said segment from one position to another, and an indexing mechanism to control the system for shifting the segments. The sprocket is characterized in that each segment is floatingly mounted with respect to the frame and in that it is guided in its transfer movement along a trajectory including a radial component and a tangent component.

[0012] The transfer system and the indexing mechanism ensure a change of state of the sprocket between a small diameter state in which all of the segments are in the low position and a large diameter state in which all of the segments are in the high position. The passage from one state to the other occurs by successively transferring the segments from one position to the other at the moment of rotation of the sprocket when the segment is not engaged with the chain, i.e., during its raising phase.

[0013] The invention is based on the following observation. By displacing the segments one by one along a trajectory that is both radial and tangent when they are being raised or lowered, it is possible to remain substantially synchronized with the chain pitch for each change of state of the sprocket. The transfer of the chain from one state to the other of the sprocket occurs by maintaining the teeth of the segments in correspondence with the chain pitch, with an acceptable clearance, particularly when a segment having a low or high position different from the segment preceding it comes under the taut strand. The change of state of the sprocket therefore occurs smoothly, with no hooking or forcing of the chain.

[0014] The invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and the attached drawings related thereto.

[0015]FIG. 1 is an overall view of a bicycle and schematically shows a sprocket according to the invention in the retracted state.

[0016]FIG. 2 shows the bicycle with its sprocket in the extended state.

[0017]FIG. 3 shows the frame of a first constructional embodiment of the sprocket.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the frame.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plate seen from the outside.

[0020]FIG. 6 shows in perspective the plate seen from the inside.

[0021]FIG. 7 shows a sprocket segment.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a side view of a control lever.

[0023]FIG. 9 shows the lever seen from the front.

[0024]FIG. 10 shows the return spring of a segment.

[0025]FIG. 11 shows in perspective the device for guiding the levers mounted on the frame.

[0026] FIGS. 11-14 show the guiding device in its various positions.

[0027]FIG. 15 shows the sprocket with all of the segments in the low position.

[0028]FIGS. 16 and 17 show the two raising phases of a segment.

[0029]FIG. 18 is a view of the sprocket with all of its segments in a high position.

[0030]FIG. 19 schematically shows the electronic system for controlling the servomotor.

[0031]FIG. 20 corresponds to another constructional embodiment of the sprocket.

[0032]FIGS. 21 and 22 show another constructional embodiment of the sprocket.

[0033]FIGS. 23 and 24 relate to another constructional embodiment.

[0034]FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 1 that has, as known, a frame 2, two front and rear wheels 3 and 4, as well as a transmission system 5. The transmission system is composed of a driving chain 6 that is driven in rotation by a crankset 8 that is movable about a crankset axle 9 borne by the frame. The chain in turn drives the rear wheel by means of pinions 10 having varying numbers of teeth. A rear derailleur schematically shown as 11 guides the transfer of the chain from one pinion to the other.

[0035] The crankset 8 has, as known, a sprocket 13, the periphery of which has teeth in correspondence with the pitch of the chain 6.

[0036] In order to change the expansion ratio, the sprocket 13 is constructed with movable segments, the position of which is modified with respect to the crankset axle. The segments can occupy two stable positions that correspond to various diameter states of the sprocket.

[0037] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the sprocket has a toothed ring that is formed of four segments 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, each covering a ninety degree angle.

[0038]FIG. 1 shows the four segments of the ring in their low position. In this position, the segments are adjacent and form a continuous toothed ring. This corresponds to the small diameter state of the ring.

[0039] In FIG. 2, the four segments 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d are in their high position that corresponds to the large diameter state of the ring.

[0040] As known, in the position of large diameter, the segments are separated by a distance corresponding to a whole number of pitch in order to keep the chain continuously meshed on the teeth of the sprocket.

[0041] For example, if one considers a sprocket having 44 teeth in its small diameter state, formed of four segments of 11 teeth each, it is possible through the extension of the segments to create a distance of one chain pitch between two consecutive sprockets. This results in an imaginary sprocket of 48 teeth, i.e., a sprocket having an expansion of 48 teeth. If the segments are displaced along a strictly radial trajectory, there is discontinuity in the pitch of the sprocket teeth during the transition between two segments having different positions. This distance corresponds approximately to one chain half-pitch. In these conditions, the chain rises temporarily on the teeth until the end of this transitory period in which it regains a correct meshing position.

[0042] The invention, on the contrary, provides displacing the segments one by one along a trajectory that has a radial component and a tangent component.

[0043] Thus, in referring to the previous example, during the change of state of the sprocket from a state of 44 teeth to an imaginary state of 48 teeth, the segments are displaced one by one along a radial component that aligns them along the radius of the imaginary sprocket of 48 teeth, and a tangent component. The tangent component is determined such that at the junction of the two adjacent segments, one in the position of 44 teeth, the other in the position of 48 teeth, the teeth of the two segments are in correspondence with the teeth of the chain. In practice, good results were obtained by displacing the segment along a tangent or almost tangent trajectory that displaces the segment in question in the rotational direction of the sprocket by an additional fraction that compensates for the spacing of the teeth at the junction of the two sprockets induced by the difference in radius. In other words, care is taken not to introduce any pitch or fraction of an intermediary chain pitch between the two segments.

[0044] Following the rotation of the sprocket, the other segments change position along the same radial and tangent trajectories that distance them one from the other by a space corresponding to one chain pitch. In the large diameter state of the sprocket, the segments of 11 teeth have between them a space of one chain pitch, giving a total of 48 imaginary teeth.

[0045] By proceeding in this manner, it was noted that inversely, during the passage of the sprocket from its imaginary large diameter state to its small diameter state, the trajectory of the segment described in the opposite direction maintained a space corresponding to one chain pitch between two consecutive segments, one in the position of 48 teeth and the other in the position of 44 teeth, with an acceptable clearance. Since the other segments successively follow the same trajectory, the spaces between two consecutive segments disappear until the sprocket completely returns to its state of 44 teeth.

[0046] Thus, under these conditions, the correspondence between the sprocket teeth and the chain pitch is constantly maintained, particularly during all of the transitory phases of the segment extension or retraction, with an acceptable clearance. The change of state of the sprocket occurs therefore under very good conditions, even though it occurs on the taut strand of the chain. As a matter of fact, there is no sprocket change per se. Furthermore, the chain encounters no noted discontinuity in the teeth, particularly during a change of state of the sprocket.

[0047] In the high position of the sprocket, the segment teeth do not follow a circular curvature precisely. Nevertheless, for the example mentioned hereinabove, the variation in radius is on the order of 2%, which is practically imperceptible at the level of the pedaling speed.

[0048] Advantageously, the change of position of a segment is caused in the raising phase of the segment in question under the taut strand of the chain. Under these conditions, the segment can be led along several possible trajectories, as long as it has reached its final high or low position when it comes under the taut strand of the chain.

[0049] Advantageously, the change of state of the sprocket induces a relatively small variation in the linear speed of the chain, and therefore of the expansion. Generally, this variation is on the order of 9% in the present example. Preferably, the sprocket according to the invention is associated with a pinion cassette whose variation in the number of teeth between two successive pinions is on the order of 18% for the variation ratio at the level of the sprocket to remain less than the variation ratio at the level of two successive pinions.

[0050] As an example, good results were obtained for a road bicycle having such a sprocket associated with a cassette of eight pinions having 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30 and 36 teeth, respectively. Advantageously, the rear derailleur is built according to the European Patent Application EP 558 425, and the gear shifts at the front and rear are guided by an electronic control system ensuring a synchronized control of the gear shifts at the level of the sprocket and of the rear derailleur.

[0051] This system is provided to function in the following manner. Starting, for example , with the highest transmission ratio, the first gear shift is a change of state of the sprocket from its large diameter state to its small diameter state, the second is a simultaneous change of pinions and of a change of state of the sprocket to return it to its initial state, then again a change of state of the sprocket alone, and so on.

[0052] The following table shows the transmission ratios and the variations of ratios for this system adapted to a road bicycle. State of Number of Variation of the sprocket pinion teeth Transmission ratio the ratio % 48 11 4.36 44 11 4.00 9.09 48 13 3.69 8.33 44 13 3.38 9.09 48 15 3.20 5.77 44 15 2.93 9.09 48 18 2.67 10.00 44 18 2.44 9.09 48 21 2.29 6.94 44 21 2.10 9.09 48 25 1.92 9.13 44 25 1.76 9.09 48 30 1.60 10.00 44 30 1.47 9.09 48 36 1.33 10.00 44 36 1.22 9.09

[0053] The range of transmission ratios varies from 4.36 up to 1.22, with an overall ratio of 3.57.

[0054] If this table is compared to a conventional system, one can note that there is no longer any overlap in the succession of the various ratios. Furthermore, the variation of the ratios is much more even and centered on a value of 8%, which improves the comfort and the flexibility in using the system. Additionally, the range of ratios is wider.

[0055] Furthermore, one can note that a range of transmission ratios equivalent to the range of a conventional system could be covered with only six pinions by eliminating the larger diameter pinions.

[0056] By reducing the number of pinions with respect to a conventional system, one decreases the drawbacks related to an incorrect alignment of the chain. Indeed, this alignment flaw occurs over a more reduced angular amplitude.

[0057] One also reduces the bulkiness of the pinion cassette on the hub body, which allows spacing apart the flanges for fastening the spokes on the hub, thereby resulting in a better balancing of the spoke tensions and a greater rigidity of the wheel. There is also a reduction in weight at the level of the pinions.

[0058] Compared to a conventional system, it is certain that there are here more ratio changes at the level of the secondary sub-assembly.

[0059] However, these changes of ratios occur alone or in combination with a single pinion change. Furthermore, they induce a more reduced ratio variation than in the conventional case. Finally, they are caused by an expansion of the sprocket and not by a derailleur acting on the taut strand of the chain. The output is therefore much better and the transition times are shorter.

[0060] Naturally, this embodiment is not limiting. Specifically, other values for the number of teeth could be used.

[0061] According to the constructional embodiment of the sprocket that will now be described, the displacement of a segment from one position to the other occurs with a double shifting movement. This movement allows controlling the trajectory of the segment along the two radial and tangent components. The embodiment that will be described relates, in a non-limiting manner, to a sprocket of 44 teeth formed of 4 segments having 11 extensible teeth for an imaginary state of 48 teeth.

[0062] In order to simplify the description, the elements will be designated by one reference numeral and, if necessary, by a reference character a, b, c or d related to a segment. From one segment to the other, the same elements will be designated by the same reference numeral but a different reference character.

[0063] The sprocket has a central support frame 16 that bears the four segments. The frame is shown in FIG. 3. Depending on the figure, it is a flattened structure having an approximately square form. Along the sides of this square form, the frame has zones 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d that are provided to allow the guiding of the ends of two adjacent segments of the sprocket.

[0064] Given the normal rotational direction of the frame, the zone 17 a has, forwardly and rearwardly, guiding surfaces 18 a and 19 a for each of the forward and rearward zones of a segment. The rearward surface 19 a extends to the edge of a cavity 20 a provided for a return spring that will be described later. At the edge of the cavity, a bore 21 a is provided for the fastening of the previously mentioned spring. Three other bores, 22 a, 23 a, 24 a, respectively, are adapted to be used as a housing for a guiding pin, the journal axle of a shifting lever and a guiding abutment, respectively. These various elements will be described hereinafter.

[0065] The other zones are similar to what has just been described.

[0066] Between the cavities 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, the frame has lightening orifices 25 a, 25 b, 25 c, 25 d. These orifices are optional, their form is not limiting.

[0067] Toward the crankset axle, a groove 26 a is machined approximately halfway between the bore 23 a provided for the shifting lever and the crankset axle. This groove is centered on the bore 23 a. Its function is to limit the angular movement of the lever which will be described later.

[0068] Plates, such as the plate 29 a, are provided to be assembled opposite the guiding surfaces of two adjacent segments, particularly 19 a and 18 b, so as to leave a guiding space for the forward and rearward zones of two adjacent segments. These plates have bores 30 a, 31 a that correspond to the bores 24 a and 22 b. The plates are assembled to the frame by any appropriate means, for example, screws and spacers. On the back, the plates have a guiding abutment 45 a for the rearward zone of the segment traversed by the bore 30 a.

[0069] To assist in understanding the drawings, the plates are not shown in the following figures, only the guiding abutment is seen.

[0070] A crank arm 32 is affixedly connected to the frame which, in the center, has a square bore 33 for the crankset axle and the other crank arm. Another constructional embodiment of the cranks can also be used.

[0071] The segment 14 a will now be described with reference to FIG. 7, the other segments are identical. The segment 14 a generally has the form of a crescent with a forward zone 34 a, a median zone 35 a and a rearward zone 36 a, given its normal rotational direction marked by the arrow R.

[0072] At its periphery, the segment 14 a has a toothing 38 a with 11 teeth made in correspondence with the chain pitch. In the present case of four segments, the teeth cover a quarter of the teeth of the sprocket. The teeth extend along a circular curvature centered on the crankset axle when the segment is in a low position, i.e., the position of FIG. 1. As an alternative, the curvature could be centered on the crankset axle when the segment is in a high position or yet in an intermediary position.

[0073] Preferably, the last tooth 39 a of the segment is machined along its descending surface and the depth of the space between the teeth which follows it is increased. The object of this arrangement is to allow the chain to dip along a direction tangent to the segment that is rearward of the segment. This facilitates the transfer of the chain during a retraction of the segments.

[0074] In the forward zone, the segment 14 a has a guiding slot 40 a in the form of a bean. The slot is oriented approximately along a radial direction, with the central portion of the bean oriented toward the rearward zone.

[0075] The slot is provided to be crossed through by a guiding pin 41 a housed in the bore 22 a of the frame. The pin circulates in the slot without a transverse clearance, except for the operational clearance, and, with its ends, the slot limits the displacement of the forward zone 34 a of the segment during its change of position. The radial length of the slot is approximately equal to the amplitude of radial displacement of the segment, with the exception of the pin diameter. In the low position of the segment, the pin guides the slot so that the first tooth 37 a of the segment is distanced by one chain pitch from the last tooth of the preceding segment that is also in the low position. In this manner, the sprocket has 44 teeth. In the high position, the pin guides the slot so that the first tooth 37 a is distanced from the axis of the hub by a distance corresponding substantially to the radius of a sprocket of 48 teeth, and so that it is distanced from the tooth that precedes it by a distance equal to one chain pitch, the preceding segment being in the low position.

[0076] A recess 43 a is located at the end of its rearward zone 36 a of the segment. The edge of the recess takes support on the guiding abutment 45 a that is located on the back of the plate when the rearward zone 36 a is in the low position.

[0077] At the base of the segment, i.e., towards the crankset axle, the segment is demarcated by a ramp 48 a provided to cooperate with a shifting lever that will be described later. The ramp 48 a has a general direction that is perpendicular to a radial direction. It has two slopes 49 a, 50 a that are each located toward a forward and rearward zone of the segment and form therebetween a dihedral angle whose apex is slightly inferior to a flat angle.

[0078] At its rearward end, the slope 50 a is stopped by a return 51 a adapted to be used as an abutment for the shifting lever. When the segment is positioned on the frame, the return 51 a and the bore 23 a for the pivoting axis of the lever are approximately on a same radial direction.

[0079] In this rearward zone of the segment, a bore 52 a is provided for a return spring that will be described later. The bore 52 a is located on the segment in its low position, between the slot 40 a and the recess 43 a, so that a traction exerted by the spring can have a return action in the direction of the crankset axle on both of the forward and rearward zones.

[0080] A shifting lever 53 a for changing the position of the segment 14 a is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The lever has two arms 54 a and 55 a extending on both sides of a pivoting axle 56 a and forming therebetween an angle slightly greater than a right angle. The pivoting axle 56 a is housed in the bore 23 a of the frame. The longest arm 54 a has a head 58 a provided to cooperate with the ramp 48 a of the segment. The length of the arm 54 a is determined as a function of the ramp 48 a to bring the teeth of the rearward zone 36 a of the segment approximately along the radius of a sprocket of 48 teeth.

[0081] At an equal distance from the pivoting axle 56 a, each of the arms 54 a and 55 a bears a stop 60 a, 61 a for indexing the lever. The stop 60 a, located on the same side of the axle 56 a as the head 58 a, is called an extension stop. The other stop 61 a that is closer to the crankset axle is called a retraction stop.

[0082] A rod 63 a, located on the shortest arm, opposite the stop 61 a, moves in the groove 26 a of the frame. In one of the stable positions of the lever, the rod is at the bottom of the groove 26 a.

[0083] Each of the segments is elastically returned to the low position and maintained in this position by a return spring that connects it to the frame. For the segment 14 a, a spring 66 a is provided with its two ends 67 a and 68 a housed in the bores 52 a of the rearward zone of the segment and 21 a of the frame, respectively. As for the body of the spring, it is housed in the cavity 20 a of the frame. According to the preferred constructional embodiment of the spring shown in the Figures, the body of the spring has two coils 69 a, 70 a, connected together and at the ends by arms 71 a, 72 a, 73 a. Under these conditions, the spring 66 a is non-linear and has a small space requirement. Its return force increases rapidly over an amplitude of extension that corresponds to its initial pre-stressing. Also, its return force is relatively stable.

[0084] An indexing mechanism is provided to control the shifting of the levers and therefore the transfer of the segments from one position to another. This mechanism is affixedly mounted, for example, to the frame 2 of the bicycle. It has a plate 75 that is mounted, for example, to the bearing surface of the crankset axle, and which is tightened with the tightening nut of the axle.

[0085] The plate carries a movable indexing connecting rod 76 that is articulated about an axle 77 borne by the plate. Seen from the side, the axle 77 is in the vicinity of the trajectory of the pivoting axles of the levers and, in particular, of the axle 56 a of the lever 53 a. The connecting rod has a base 78 opposite the axle 77. The base 78 has an end support surface that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction defined by the connecting rod and, preferably, it has a flexible zone 79 that is oriented toward the exterior of the sprocket. According to the embodiment shown, the connecting rod is driven by a rod 80 that is itself attached to the output cam 81 of a servomotor 82 that is electrically actuated. Other means could also be used, such as a rotatable or linear electromagnet, or a piezoelectric actuator.

[0086] The servomotor is guided by an electronic control system that will be described later. Depending on the angular position of the connecting rod, the base is provided to oppose the indexing stops of the lever or, on the contrary, to avoid the stops in question during the rotation of the sprocket.

[0087]FIGS. 12 and 13 show the connecting rod in the position where it opposes the extension and retraction stops, respectively, i.e., the stops 61 a and 60 a for the lever 53 a.

[0088]FIG. 14 shows the connecting rod in an intermediary position where it is out of the reach of the various stops.

[0089] The transfer of the segment 14 a from one position to the other is shown in FIGS. 15-18.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 15, the segment 14 a and the other segments are initially in the low position and are maintained in this position by their respective return spring. In this position, the teeth of the segments are contiguous. The sprocket generally functions like a small diameter sprocket.

[0091] The levers, particularly the lever 53 a, are in the stable position shown in FIG. 15. Under the effect of the spring 66 a that returns the segment 14 a to the low position, the head 58 a of the arm 54 a is returned toward the crankset axle, and the end 61 a of the other arm 55 a is maintained in abutment at the bottom of the groove 26 a.

[0092] The control connecting rod is positioned in an intermediary position, that of FIG. 14, which positions its base 78 out of the reach of the stops 60 a and 61 a for pivoting the lever.

[0093] In order to control a change in the position of the segment 14 a, the servomotor guides the connecting rod so as to bring the base 78 along the trajectory of the extension stop 60 a so as to cause the pivoting of the lever 53 a with the rotation of the sprocket. This position of the control connecting rod is shown in FIG. 13.

[0094] In a first pivoting phase of the lever shown in FIG. 16, the head 58 a of the lever follows the slope 49 a of the ramp 48 a. The lever then operates a first shifting of the segment 14 a. The forward zone moves away from the crankset axle until the pin 41 a reaches the end of the slot 40 a. The pin reaches the end of the slot 40 a at the same time as the head of the lever reaches the connection of the two slopes 49 a and 50 a. The position of the slope 49 a near the forward zone 34 a of the segment and its sloping with respect to the lead angle of the head 58 a allow this first shifting movement of the forward zone 34 a.

[0095] In a second phase, the connecting rod continues to oppose the passage of the stop 60 a. The lever 53 a continues to pivot with the rotation of the sprocket. Its head 58 a attacks the second slope 50 a of the ramp 48 a and forces the rearward zone of the segment to be moved away from the crankset axle against the return force of the spring.

[0096] At the end of this second shifting phase, as shown in FIG. 17, the head 58 a of the lever 53 a abuts against the return 51 a. The stop 60 a escapes from the connecting rod 76 through a flexion of the flexible zone 79 of the base 78.

[0097] In this position of the lever 53, the arm 54 a prevents the segment from pivoting about an axis defined by the pin 41 a. The arm is oriented right beyond the line of action of the force exerted by the segment, such that the lever and the segment are maintained in a stable position.

[0098] The forward zone is also maintained in a stable position of balance. Indeed, in the absence of bias from the chain, the return force of the spring 53 a is sufficient for maintaining the lower end of the bean-shaped slot 40 a in support against the pin 41 a. When the segment is subject to a tension from the chain, the resulting bias is essentially oriented along a tangent to the curve of the segment. Under these conditions, the pin cooperates with the edge of its slot to regain this tangent bias. The reaction that the pin exerts on the segment reinforces the stable position of this forward zone in view of the support of the segment on the lever head, and the curve of the bean-shaped slot.

[0099] In this high position, the first tooth 37 a of the segment 14 a is distant from the last tooth of the segment preceding it by one chain pitch.

[0100] If the connecting rod is maintained in its angular position of FIG. 12, it proceeds with the extension of the segments as the sprocket rotates, and as the extension stops abut against its base.

[0101] Once all of the segments have been transferred to the extension position, the servomotor returns the connecting rod to its intermediary position of FIG. 14, out of the reach of the indexing stops.

[0102] The transfer of the sprockets to their retraction position occurs by bringing the connecting rod to the position of FIG. 12 where it is on the trajectory of the retraction stops, particularly the stop 61 a of the lever 53 a.

[0103] In their original position, all of the segments occupy a high position shown in FIG. 18. By immobilizing the retraction stop, the connecting rod forces the lever 14 a to pivot so that its head 58 a leaves the support of the return 51 a and follows the ramp 50 a in the reverse direction. During this first phase, under the effect of traction of the spring, the segment shifts about the pin 41 a. Its rearward zone is brought closer to the crankset axle until the notch 43 a takes support against the guiding abutment 45 a.

[0104] The segment 14 a is in the same configuration as the one shown in FIG. 16.

[0105] As the sprocket follows its rotation, the lever 53 a is brought back to the position that it occupies in FIG. 15, thus releasing the forward zone of the segment that is returned in the direction of the crankset axle by the residual traction of the spring.

[0106] In this position, the first tooth 37 a of the segment 14 a that is returned to its low position is located at a distance of two chain pitches from the last tooth 39 d of the segment 14 d that precedes it.

[0107] The machining of the last space between the teeth previously mentioned eases the dipping of the chain.

[0108] Alternative constructions of the sprocket are possible. In particular, the guiding of the forward zone of the segment could be obtained by other means. Specifically, one could invert the slot and the pin to have the slot on the frame and the pin on the sprocket. One could also invert the movement of double shifting, i.e., raise the rearward zone of the segment first and the forward zone last. The movement of the segment along a tangent direction could have an inverted direction so that, on the raising of the segment, there is a space of one chain pitch forward, rather than rearward, of the segment.

[0109] A single control lever is preferred for transferring the sprocket from one position to the other. As an alternative, one could have two levers, such as the lever 53 a, each responsible for controlling the raising or lowering of a sprocket zone. One could invert the functioning mode of a lever so that its articulation is on the segment and the ramp is on the frame.

[0110]FIG. 19 schematically shows the electronic control system that guides the servomotor. This circuit has four magnets 85 a, 85 b, 85 c, 85 d that are mounted on the sprocket at a right angle one from the other. A REED type relay 86 is affixed to the frame of the bicycle. The passage of a magnet in front of the relay corresponds to a specific position of a control lever with respect to the base of the connecting rod.

[0111] The system has a control button 88 that can possibly be removed and a processing circuit 90. The processing circuit has a counting unit that is capable of counting the locking impulses of the REED relay, and a processing unit that guides the servomotor 82. Initially, the servomotor is in its intermediary position, and its last position for guiding the connecting rod is saved.

[0112] Upon sending a command for changing the state of the sprocket, as soon as the counting unit has counted an impulse, the processing unit guides the servomotor in the position opposite its last indexing position. Then the counting unit is actuated. As soon as it has counted four impulses corresponding to a complete turn of the sprocket, the processing unit guides the servomotor to return it to its intermediary position, and saves the new guiding position from which the servomotor returns.

[0113] The servomotor is selected to be sufficiently quick so that a change of position of the connecting rod can occur before a new magnet is in front of the REED relay within a reasonable range of rotational speed of the sprocket.

[0114] Other means for guiding the servomotor are also possible, just as other means for controlling the levers are also possible. In particular, one could control the levers in a strictly mechanical way. One could also detect the passage of the segments other than by magnets and a REED relay.

[0115] Additionally, it is possible to couple the electronic control system to a system for controlling the rear derailleur, particularly when the rear derailleur has an electrical control for coordinating a gear shift at the level of the sprocket with a shift at the level of the rear derailleur, or even for controlling both transmission systems by means of a single control.

[0116] According to another means for using the control system, one could create an intermediary state of the sprocket in which one portion of the segments is in a high position and one portion is in the low position. In the case of four segments, one could have two diametrically opposed segments in the high position, and the other two segments in a high position. Under these conditions, the sprocket would function similarly to an oval sprocket.

[0117]FIG. 20 shows another constructional embodiment of the sprocket. The general concept here is to displace each of the segments from one position to the other through a strictly rotational movement. The low and high positions of a segment are identical to those that were described previously. Since these positions are determined, it is possible to identify an instantaneous center of rotation about which the segment must pivot according to a strict rotation in order to pass from one position to the other.

[0118] Thus, the Figure shows four segments 94 a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d. Each segment, particularly segment 94 a, is affixedly attached to the end of an arm 95 a, that is itself connected by an articulation about an axle 96 a to the radial arm 97 a of a frame 98. The position of the axle 96 a was determined such that this axle corresponds to the instantaneous center of rotation of the segment. As can be seen in the Figure, the axle 96 a is approximately at the intersection of a straight line tangent to the forward zone of the segment and of a straight line of radial direction passing approximately through the middle of the segment located forwardly of said segment.

[0119] The change of position of each of the segments is controlled by a lever, such as the lever 99 a. This lever has a first arm 100 a that cooperates with a slot 101 a of the segment to control the amplitude of the angular movement about the axle 96 a, and two auxiliary arms that each bears an indexing stop 102 a, 103 a that allows controlling the shifting of the lever. This means for controlling the shifting of the lever is similar to what was described previously, and the lever is provided to cooperate with a connecting rod that will not be described in detail.

[0120] In order to illustrate the invention, the segment 94 b is shown in the high position whereas the other segments are in the low position. One can see that at the junction between the segments 94 a and 94 b, the teeth are in correspondence with the chain pitch without an intermediary pitch. At the junction with the rearward segment 96 c, there is an intermediary chain pitch. Thus, the teeth of the sprocket are maintained in correspondence with the chain pitch on the raising as on the lowering.

[0121] Another constructional method is schematically shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. According to this constructional embodiment, the trajectory of a segment 105 a is guided by means of two cams 106 a, 107 a, one located in the forward zone, the other in the rearward zone. The cams pivot about axles 108 a, 109 a mounted on the segment, and off-centered axles 110 a and 111 a mounted on a crankset frame. Each cam has teeth 114 a, 115 a at its periphery.

[0122] The rotation of the cams can possibly be controlled in a synchronized manner by a pinion 119 a, also mounted on the sprocket, and by means of two stops 120 a, 121 a that operate according to the same functioning mode as the preceding stops. According to an alternative embodiment, the cams could be replaced by connecting rods.

[0123] The relative position of the axles 108 a, 110 a, 109 a, 111 a and the primary diameter of the teeth 114 a and 115 a are determined such that, as in the preceding cases, the segment is displaced along a radial component and a tangent component that maintain the teeth in correspondence with the chain pitch during the transitory phases of extension and retraction.

[0124] According to the alternative of FIGS. 23 and 24, the trajectory of a segment 120 a is guided by a shifter 121 a and a cam 122 a connected together by a connecting rod 123 a. The shifter 121 a is pivotally mounted about an axle 125 a borne by the sprocket frame. This frame is not shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

[0125] Toward the axle 125 a, the shifter has two arms 126 a, 127 a that are provided to be fastened by an indexing member, for example, an indexing connecting rod such as the previously described connecting rod 79, so as to guide the change of state of the segment.

[0126] The shifter 121 a furthermore has a head 128 a with a pin 129 a that moves in a slot 130 a cut out from the side of the rearward end of the segment 120 a.

[0127] The slot 130 a generally has the form of an “S,” with a central portion oriented approximately in a radial manner, and two rounded ends for the two high and low positions of the segment.

[0128] Toward the other end, the segment is displaced by a cam 122 a articulated about an axle 132 a borne by the frame and connected to the forward end of the segment 120 a by a pin 133 a. The pin 133 a is displaced by the cam on both sides of an imaginary circle centered on the sprocket axle and passing through the axle 132 a. The shifter 121 a and the cam 122 a are connected by a connecting rod 123 a that synchronizes their movement.

[0129] The rotation of the shifter induces a displacement of the rearward end of the segment along radial and tangent components. The cam induces a displacement of the segment mainly along a radial direction.

[0130] Optionally, the shifter 121 a and the cam 122 a are housed in housings cut into the sprocket frame. The lateral walls of these housings serve as a force recovering abutment for the two extreme positions of the shifter and of the cam, so as to recover the forces induced by the tension of the chain.

[0131] As in the preceding cases in the low position, the first teeth of the various segments are juxtaposed to the last teeth of the segment preceding them so that the teeth of the various segments are continuous and in correspondence with the chain pitch. In the high position, these teeth are distanced by one chain pitch. The segments are guided individually, and the change of position of each segment preferably occurs when the segment in question is in the raising zone of the sprocket.

[0132] Naturally, the present description is only given as an example, and other embodiments of the invention could be used without leaving the scope thereof.

[0133] In particular, the number of segments of the sprocket is not limiting, and one could have more than or less than four segments. Furthermore, the number of teeth of the sprocket is not limiting either. An example of a sprocket having a state of 44 teeth and an imaginary state of 48 teeth has been described. The invention could be applied to a sprocket of 48 teeth having an imaginary state of 52 teeth through an extension of the sprockets, or yet a sprocket of 49 teeth that can be extended to 53 teeth by using non-identical segments, three having 12 teeth and one 13 teeth.

[0134] Thus, the invention allows modifying the development of the front transmission system by changing the state of the sprocket through an extension of its teeth. Since there is no lateral transfer of the chain, and since the variation of the development induced is relatively low, the change of state of the sprocket occurs under very good conditions of flexibility and smoothness, even when the chain is subject to a high tension.

[0135] Additionally, the energy necessary to the change of state of the sprocket is primarily taken from the very rotation of the sprocket. The servomotor, or another equivalent system, which controls a change of state of the sprocket, consumes very low energy. 

1. Driving sprocket for a bicycle crankset having a toothed ring whose teeth have one pitch in correspondence with one chain pitch, the ring being divided into a plurality of segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 94 a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d, 105 a, 120 a), the segments being borne by a frame (16, 98) that is rotationally movable about a crankset axle, each sprocket segment being movable with respect to the frame in a plane perpendicular to the crankset axle between a low position and a high position in which it is further distant from the crankset axle, thus defining a small diameter state and an imaginary large diameter state of the sprocket, a system for transferring each segment to transfer said segment from one position to the other, and an indexing mechanism to control the system for shifting the segments, characterized in that each segment (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 94 a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d, 105 a, 120 a) is floatingly mounted with respect to the frame (16, 98), and in that it is guided in its transfer movement along a trajectory having a radial component and a tangent component.
 2. Sprocket according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed of four segments (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d, 94 a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d) of 11 teeth each, which, in the low position, are adjacent in the low position and have between them a space corresponding to one chain pitch in the high position.
 3. Sprocket according to claim 1, characterized in that the radial component of the trajectory of a segment is determined such that in the high position the segments have between them a space corresponding to a whole number of a chain pitch, and the tangent component such that the first tooth (37 a) of a segment is substantially in correspondence with the last tooth of the segment preceding it and which would be in the low position without an intermediary pitch.
 4. Sprocket according to claim 1, each segment (14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d) having a forward zone (34 a) and a rearward zone (36 a), characterized in that one of the zones (36 a) of the segment is guided with respect to the groove by a pin (41 a) moving inside of a slot (40 a), and in that at least one shifting lever (56 a) controls the displacement of the other zone of the segment (37 a).
 5. Sprocket according to claim 4, characterized in that the displacement of a segment is controlled by a single shifter (53 a) having an arm (54 a) supported against a ramp (48 a) located at the base of the segment (14 a).
 6. Sprocket according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the segments is elastically returned to the low position by a return spring (66 a) mounted between the segment and the frame.
 7. Sprocket according to claim 4, characterized in that the shifting lever (53 a) has two arms (54 a, 55 a), each bearing a stop (60 a, 61 a) for indexing the lever in one or the other of its positions for controlling the displacement.
 8. Sprocket according to claim 7, characterized in that a connecting rod (76) provided to be mounted on the bicycle frame controls the shifting of the lever by positioning itself on the trajectory of one or the other of the indexing stops (60 a, 61 a).
 9. Sprocket according to claim 8, characterized in that the displacement of the connecting rod is controlled by a member (82) that is guided by an electronic control system having a member for detecting each of the segments (85 a, 85 b, 85 c, 85 c, 86), and a processing circuit having a counting unit and a processing unit to guide the member (82) for displacing the connecting rod.
 10. Sprocket according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the segments (94 a, 94 b, 94 c, 94 d) is affixed to the end of an arm (95 a, 95 b, 95 c, 95 d) that is itself connected to the radial arm (97 a, 97 b, 97 c, 97 d) of a frame about an axle (96 a, 96 b, 96 c, 96 d) located at the instantaneous center of rotation.
 11. Sprocket according to claim 1, characterized in that the change of position of a segment (105 a) is guided by two cams (106 a, 107 a), one located in the forward zone, the other in the rearward zone of the sprocket, whose synchronized rotation is controlled by a pinion (119 a).
 12. Sprocket according to claim 1, characterized in that the change of position of a segment (120 a) is guided on one side by a shifter (121 a) pivoting about an axle (125 a) borne by the frame and connected to the segment by a pin (129 a) located at its head (128 a), and on the other side by a cam (122 a) pivoting about an axle (132 a) borne by the frame and connected to the segment by a pin (133 a), the shifter (121 a) and the cam (122 a) being connected to one another by a connecting rod (123 a).
 13. Sprocket according to claim 1, characterized in that its change of state induces a relatively small variation of its expansion, on the order of 10%.
 14. Sprocket according to claim 11, characterized in that it has from 44 to 49 teeth in a small diameter state, and that in a large diameter state, it has an expansion of 3 to 5 additional teeth.
 15. Transmission system for a bicycle having a transmission chain and, at the rear, a set of pinions with a derailleur to transfer the chain from one pinion to the other, characterized in that it has a driving sprocket at the front, according to any one of the preceding claims.
 16. System according to claim 14, where the rear derailleur is an electrically controlled derailleur, characterized in that the rear derailleur and the sprocket are controlled by an electronic control system coordinating the controls of the rear derailleur and of the sprocket.
 17. System according to claim 15, characterized in that it has at the front a sprocket that is extensible between two states of 44 and 48 teeth, and at the rear a cassette of pinions having all or part of a set of pinions of 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30, 36 teeth. 